Just A Message

To:  My Mom and Dad

HAPPY 31st ANNIVERSARY!!!

You are two wonderful people, I love you very much!  Congradulations!

Jeneva’s Birthday!!!

In honor of Jeneva’s 10th birthday today…here is the article I promised I would publish

I have been looking for a video game to play for a while. Well one day Joe came home from our friend’s house and he had said he played Lego Star Wars and said it was very good.  Well I didn’t believe him until I went to thier house and played it myself and I was really surprised! On Saturday our family went to the Kennedy Space Center, because it was free this weekend.  After we spent the whole day there and at the Astronaut Hall Of Fame. We went to Block Buster to get Apollo 13; instead we got Lego Star wars! Josiah and I have been playing it and I’m glad God answered my prayer without even praying!

PS – There is a new poem published under the Poems page -  Approval

Coming Soon

Well, it has been a LONG time but I am finally working on some poems and some contemplations.  Look for these in the near future.

Also, in order to allow myself time for writing a little more deeply I have asked a guest writer to make a contribution for this week’s front page entry.  Look for Jeneva’s upcoming addition to REFLECTIONS.

Rainy Days and Mondays

A rainy day is very rare in Florida.  Oh, don’t get me wrong, it rains – a lot!  For the past ten days you could almost set your watch by the afternoon thundershowers.  But, it rarely stays overcast and rainy all day long.  Of course today, the day I wanted to take pics of my river view and share them with you, is one of those rare exceptions to the rule.

But you know what?  I am gonna share them anyway, because there is a bit of irony in it all.  We all know how the song goes right?  “Hangin’ around, nothing to do but frown, rainy days and Mondays always get me down…”  And I think most of us wonder, “What happens on a rainy Monday, geesh, they must really be a drag!”  Funny thing is, today should have been that for me but it is just the opposite.  I have been so down these past few weeks.  After three years of a high stress life, getting back to a just-a-mommy-and-wife routine feels empty and sloven.  And entertaining relationships that just exsist for sheer mutal enjoyment and don’t center around ministry or outreach, feels indulgent and  wasteful.  (Enter the false guilt)  Especially since I am a gotta-go, gotta-do, “type A” personality.  (and more false guilt)  My vehicle coming to a screeching stop has sent me into a tail-spin!  (Enter depression)

So, why am I not really down on this rainy Monday?  On Friday I prayed (or cried is more like it) something that sounded a little like this:

“Lord, I am angry, confused, frustrated, irritable…  AND I don’t know why, I don’t care, and I am not sure I want to change; I kinda like wallowing in this self-pity.  So, you need to step in here.  Your Holy Spirit is gonna have to re-light the fire and just scoop me up off this floor cause I just don’t have an ounce of stregnth or desire in me.”

I guess He answered my prayers.  Nothing changed – everything is still the same but I feel different.  I feel OK!  He is good and I am reminded that it is all about HIM.  He gives us a time to rest – I need to learn how to take it.  To know He is always at work and remains all-powerful even when He commands me to sit still!

Besides – how can anyone with a balcony view like this not know how to relax and enjoy God’s gifts?

A Very Veggie Book Review

What mom, raising toddlers in the late ’90’s, didn’t fall in love with the bouncing vegetables?  In our house the names Bob and Larry were as common as the names Josiah and Jeneva!

A decade after our love affair with the Veggies, we were sitting at a friends house and Joe picked up a book called “Me, Myself, and Bob” and began to read.  He liked it so much he asked for it for his birthday so he could finish it.  His interest in the book and our love for the Veggies piqued my curiousity and when he finished I read it too.

 It is probably the best book I have read in a while.  Many of us think that Big Idea, the Veggie Tales production company, and Phil Vischer are Christian media geniuses.  But did you know God gave Phil a dream, helped him build his dream, and then shut it all down?  Yep, Big Idea Production went all the way to Bankruptcy court, in a very painful and messy way.  There were afternoons when I put the book down thinking, “this has got to be one of the saddest things I have ever read.”  There is nothing more heart breaking then broken dreams.

But God did not leave Phil in the rubble of his broken dreams.  God taught him some very valuable lessons that resonated with me, and that I think would do every Christian, who has ever had to grapple with God’s goodness and broken dreams, to hear. 

“Ignore the voice that says, ‘You deserve it’  It comes from the worst part of our sinful natures, the part that always wants another cookie, bigger house, nicer TV.  I’m pretty sure it is the voice that told Hitler he “deserved” Poland.  What do I really deserve?  Death…death apart from God.  I am a selfish dweeb, standing before a righteous, holy God.  Imagine me trying to explain to God why I need a nicer…”

How many of us grew up in the Christian sub-culture believing certain quotes as if they were Scripture?  Things like, “God cannot steer a parked car.” or “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” or “God helps those who help themselves.”  But this is not the gospel!  It is American Entrepenuerism dressed in Christianese (a wolf in sheep’s clothing).

“The Truth – JUST GOD!  The Christian life is not about running like a maniac, it is about walking with God.  What is walking with God?  Doing what he asks you to do each and every day.  Living in active relationship with him.  Filling your mind with his Word, and letting that Word penetrate every waking moment

“C.S. Lewis said, ‘He who has God plus many things, has nothing more than he who has God alone.’”

“Anything that I am unwilling to give up is an idol, and I am in sin.”

“BEWARE OF YOUR DREAMS, for dreams make dangerous friends.  We all have them…But dreams are…misplaced longings, false lovers.  Why?  Because God is enough.  Just God.  And He isn’t enough because he can make our dreams come true – no, you’ve got him confused with Santa or Merlin or Oprah.  The God who created the universe is enough for us – even without our dreams.  Without the better life…the rewarding work… 

                God was enough for the martyrs facing lions and fire – even when the lions and fire won.  God is enough for you.  But you can’t discover the truth of that statement while you’re clutching at your dreams.  You need to let them go.  Let yourself fall.  Give up.  As terrifying as it sounds, you’ll discover that falling feels a lot like floating.  And falling into God’s arms – relying solely on His power and will for your life – that’s where the fun starts, that’s where you’ll find the abundant life Jesus promised – the abundant life that doesn’t look anything like evangelical overload.

                The impact God has planned for us doesn’t occur when we’re pursuing impact.  It occurs when we’re pursuing God.”

Those are the quotes that hit me between the eyes, but I reccommend you try reading it for yourself, it is one very excellent, easy to read, story/life application book!

More on My Reunion Highlight

 I have these memories of my childhood.  Great memories -  Some of family vacations, some of sleepovers at girlfriends, some of amusement parks with my Dad, step-mom and brothers - great memories, but those memories are for another entry.  The memory I want to share with you today elaborates on the reason for my reunion highlight.

I am the first of 13 grandchildren on my mom’s side of the family.  Three of us were born between the years of 1970 and 1973 – the next grandchildren would not come along until the early 80’s.  This created golden years for the three of us at the top.  We had an aunt and 3 uncles who were still single - in other words excellent Christmas and birthday presents!  And we had the grandparents, still young, and to ourselves!

 My grandparents had the best summer rec place! Complete with ocean and river beaches, pool, speed boat, and golf cart – and they would take us grandkids there several times each summer.  If I could keep myself from sunburn, I would completely wear myself out with early morning crabbing expeditions, followed by a dip in the pool or at the beach, afternoons waterskiing, and evenings speeding around the resort in grandad’s golf cart.  Me, my brother Brian, and my cousin Aimee had some of the best days of our lives there.

We all love to tell the story about the day we actually sat out on the deck and said we were bored.  Wow, was my grandmom mad!  There was so much to do, and so much she had done to provide it, that its no wonder our grumbling really upset her – Of course now I realize how ungrateful we were behaving and how selfish.  (Grandmom if you read this, and I’ve never actually said so, I am sorry and very thankful for those summers at Pot Nets )

Well, my week at Ocean City with this part of my extended family was a real treat and blessing.  You see, my grandad, now 87 years old, has cancer.  He started his chemotherapy this week.  Since the recent week in Ocean City, not a day has gone by that I don’t think about him.  Grandad has this one sort of signature thing he does, when things are not going so well, he just chuckles and says, “Aw, shucks!”  Everytime I think about it I smile.

So, Ocean City was one more great Grandmom and Grandad memory, and this is one I share with the next generation, one I share with my own children and that is something awesome.  Not too many people have special memories of their great-grandparents, now mine do!  I am looking forward to this year of opportunity to make a few more of those memories.

Please pray for my grandad and grandmom, as well as my mom, and my Aunts and Uncles over the next ten weeks of Chemo.  Thanks!

Wow, What A Month!

So, if there is anyone out there still checking in, I must appologize for one very long silence!  However, once you see the itineration of the past month I hope you will forgive me.

The very same day James arrived in the US, our family hit the road for family, friend, and supporting church reunions.  Here is the list of stops:

• Charleston, SC – 4 days
• Poconos, PA – 2 days
• Ocean City, MD – 7 days
• Sykesville, MD – 2 days
• Charlottsville, VA – 4 days
• Nashville, TN – 2 days
• Fayettville, TN – 2 days
• Blairsville, GA – 4 days
• Atlanta, GA – 1 day

It was a crazy thing to do.  We are exhausted!  But at the same time it was so good to see loved ones we have missed over the last 3 years.  One question I have been asked many times during this trip is “What is the thing you miss the most living overseas?”  I think I discovered the most acurate answer during our travels – the opportunity to play an active roll in the lives of my brothers, sisters, neices, and nephews.  (and that includes the Myhre and Lyon families)  I have neices and nephews I met on the first time this trip and others who don’t remember me at all.  That was a hard reality, but I am very thankful that  I had the past 4 weeks to meet them, love on them and get to know them better.

Here are a few highlights of the month:

At the Lyon’s Home in Charleston, SC

James’ Family Reunion – My Dad’s Cousins, and their children

My brother Rob, and My nephew, Brayden

Jeneva and her only girl cousins (James’ brother’s girls), Madison and Morgan

The Smith Family Reunion ( 4 generations of my mom’s side of the family)  This last picture was a highlight for me on this trip.  My grandparents (ages 84 and 87) went to play put-put golf with our family and my brother’s family.  The 1st, 3rd, and 4th generations had a great evening together!

The Things We’ve Been Up To

Water Battles

Fourth of July

Departures and Arrivals

Saying good-bye was much more difficult than I expected it would be!  On our last Sunday in Japan, I entered our little church building and was immediately greeted by Midori Dedachi, who wrapped me in a warm hug and in broken English thanked me for our years of service to the Lord and His church in Japan.  From that moment on my eyes were filled with tears.

 Throughout worship that morning I meditated on the goodness of God in leading us to Japan as well as the tremendous work he as called us to.  The illustration given in the morning service of what Japanese Christians are called to do deeply impacted me and confirmed my call to participate in helping them.

At many public swimming pools there are often small whirlpools off to the side.  It is often fun for a group of kids to try changing the direction of the swirling waters.  It can be done but it requires great effort and many people.  This is what Japanese Christians are trying to do in the culture of Japan.  The Japanese Christians are working HARD to change the cultural whirlpool but without more to their numbers the task is overwhelmingly difficult.  This is why our family is there – to add to their numbers and to help them reshape their families, neighborhoods, cities, and country. 

And it was painfully difficult for me to say goodbye to this great, and rewarding work.  I am anxiously awaiting our return!

For now, God has called our family to a new task.  The next year will be spent in the US, visiting family, friends, and churches.  Reminding the body of Christ in America that God’s call to evangelize the lost is to all believers and there are many ways for them to partner with us in the work of redirecting the whirlpool in Japan.

I am happy to be home.  The first 2 months will be spend visiting and catching up with loved ones.  The kids and I are awaiting James’ return on July 16 when we will head North for many family and friend reunions.

Saying Goodbye to my students:

A Day at Cocoa Beach as the Kids and I get some R&R before James returns:

Blogging Break

Please forgive me as I take a few weeks off of blogging updates.  Once again we are knee high in boxes and junk as we prepare to return to the US for a year.  The kids and I will be arriving in Florida on June 25, and James on July 16.  We are looking forward to a great summer of reunions with family and friends.  Can’t wait to see everyone!  Blog updates will resume once I am state-side.  Thanks for you continued support of me, my family and our ministry.